When did wetlands start to be protected?

Answers

Waters of the United States, including lakes, rivers, streams, mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, wet meadows, playa lakes, and natural ponds are legally protected under the Clean Water Act of 1972. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) special regulatory authority over the discharge of dredged or fill materials in wetlands and other waters of the U.S.